The Future of MIM

In the last few years, metal injection molding（MIM）turns in one of two ways: MIM is applied to increasing the expand of material system, and the other side is that MIM meets the requirements of the high reliability manufacturing devices , including the unique binder and debinding. Referring to the following characteristics:

Material systems in many directions

MIM is an ideal near-net forming technology with forming economically, final shaping in need, less or no subsequent process after sintering, and it has become more and more important in fine ceramic industrialized productions and applications.

Binder diversification and debinding technology multiple pathways

Many binder systems get further development and application with acetate ester, polyethylene glycol, acrylic polymers and agar as matrix. Many degreasing technologies under computer assistant control, such as thermal degreasing technology, solvent degreasing technology, catalytic defatted technology freeze-drying technique and microwave-assisted drying technology, are even used for studying debinding technology. On the one hand, it will shorten debinding time greatly, the other hand, control the polymer decomposition side reactions, which easily produce volatile products, is more efficiently to remove flaws in debinding process.

Due to researching, developing and applying, we can foresee that MIM will be an attractive near-net forming technology coexisting with machining, precision casting and pressing / sintering technologies in the near future, more and more parts designers will acquaint with MIM and accept it.